Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar staked a claim for resolving two of the oldest unresolved disputes at the United Nations (UN), that of the statuses of Palestine and Kashmir, saying “self-determination was a basic human right which cannot be applied selectively,” and that Pakistan strongly supported the need for bridging gaps and enhancing trust among South Asian countries, Express 24/7 reported Saturday.
Khar who was addressing foreign minister meeting of South Asian Association of Regional Countries (SAARC) and the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) on the sidelines of the 66th United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
(Read: Hitting back: Kayani scoffs, Khar cautions, Gilani muses)
SAARC foreign ministers moot
The gathering was attended by South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) foreign ministers including that of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and senior officials from other SAARC countries.
Khar underlined the need for rapid progress towards consolidation of agreements and decisions taken during past SAARC summits.
On Kashmir, Khar said the prospect of a lasting peace in South Asia was directly linked with a just and durable solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Pakistan had repeatedly underlined this fundamental reality in its engagement with India.
She reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the charters and ideals of the SAARC.
Khar also met her Indian counterpart SM Krishna during the meeting, where both had a brief exchange if courtesies.
Meeting with ministers of the OIC
Addressing the annual co-ordination meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, Khar said that Pakistan stood by Palestine’s side in demanding the UN to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. “We are meeting here at a time when the Palestinian aspirations for a national homeland appear to be entering a decisive phase,” she said, referring to the application submitted by Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas for UN membership as a state. “At this critical juncture, we stand with our Palestinian brethren for their legitimate demand for an independent State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and its recognition by the United Nations,” the foreign minister said.
The foreign minister said the Kashmiri people were hopeful that the OIC will raise its voice in support of the Kashmiri people’s demand for an international investigation into the unmarked mass graves discovered in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan to continue support of Afghanistan peace process
Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, she said that Pakistan was closely working with the Afghan Government and the international community for early return of peace and stability in the war-torn country.
“We fully support President Hamid Karzai’s initiative for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. The foreign minister strongly condemned the assassination of former president Burhanuddin Rabbani who was working for Afghan reconciliation.
“Enumerating the “huge losses” inflicted by terrorists on Pakistan, she said, “We remain un-wavered in our resolve to eliminate terrorism from our country and beyond. We are determined to pursue terrorists to the very end.”
Islam, terrorism and the west
About the trend in the west to link Islam with terrorism, she said, “We, therefore, strongly reject the canard of ‘Islamic terrorism’.” “The recent incident in Norway is a clear manifestation that terrorists have no religion, no nationality and no values.”
Another issue of deep concern pertains to increasing incidents of Islamophobia and negative stereotyping of Islam, its scriptures and holy personalities. In certain countries, she said, anti-Islam and anti-Muslim rhetoric has become a favourite pass time to expand electoral gains. “These hate mongers must not be allowed to pursue their evil agendas under the garb of freedom of expression.”
On UN Security Council reform, the foreign minister called on the OIC to play a pro-active role and seek adequate representation an expanded Security Council. “The Muslim World is currently passing through a moment of unprecedented political awakening and reckoning,” Khar said. “One can discern signs of new Islamic renaissance in the 21st Century.
We are confident that our brothers and sisters in the concerned countries would make the right choices to serve their best national interest.”
Earlier, the foreign minister told a news channel in New York while addressing to US that “you will lose an ally”.
She said this after White House asked Pakistan to cut ties with the Haqqani network.
The foreign minister further said to US that “you cannot afford to alienate Pakistan, you cannot afford to alienate the people of Pakistan”.
COMMENTS (61)
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Why dont all the Kashmiris who want azadi go to AJK ?
There is a common saying...."boiled water doesn't burn a house,fire does" .Thanks..
@Blithe, you better check your facts before jumping to write here. Kindly go through the UN resolution on Kashmir in 1948 and read section 1 A- 1/2/3 and you will see why plebiscite could not take place...because as directed in resolution Pakistani forces never vacated their part of Kashmir. And as far as Baluchistan is concerned, check again, which instruments caused Pak army to invade Baluchistan and why still there is no administrative instruments functioning and why army and ISI are running or killing people there..
@Subhash, India: I have to correct you again.
Shimla clearly says that the issue needs to be solved as per UN Resolutions.
Please do some minimum research on the basics before posting comments.
@Ashok: Please note that Baluchistan is part of Pakistan through all legal instruments ( and the situation there is not even a fraction as bad as 1/3 of India under Maoist insurgency)
Kashmir is a disputed area and is recognized by the UN as such. Let's agree to follow UN resolutions and respect a Kashmiri plebiscite.
and what about Balochistan?
look like Indian stooges have attacked this form. Aww!!! They just cant stand Pakistan bashing........dont worry we will give a medicine to you will be enjoying soon. :):) Yanks the bullies!!! Get life guys, you are doomed in Afghanistan, take your troops back where they came from, otherwise I'm sorry to say Soviet Angle in hovering over Afghanistan.
@Ali: lol the American Embassy just sent 100s of trolls on this website
How did you come to that conclusion? Are you one of the trolls? Or, did American embassy tell you that "fact" in person? You sure talk like Zaid Hamid. Please tell me you are not a fan of him :)
@Proud Pakistani: Here is the last line of your post:
Height of stupidity occurs when users begin identifying themselves with names like balochistan, Real Bangladeshi lol
And your screen name is Proud Pakistani. Do you see the hypocrisy and irony here?
She forgot to mention Balochistan's right to self-determination - whoops!
Its really amusing to see indian trolls like @real bangladeshi & @Dr.salim talking about how bangladeshis view India. Are you guys ashamed of your indian identity because you can't argue with logic and fail to prove your point. If you guys want to know how bangladeshis view Indian hegemony visit the most secular pro awami news paper - Daily star. And if you guys can read bengali read Amar Desh & Prothom Alo you will get the answer.
@Blithe: The UN resolutions are history as Pakistan Govt signed the Shimla Agreement. Hope Pak people can honor their own written commitments.
Kashmir and Palestine have right to self-determination: Khar
And so have Afghans.And whether their Government is willing to extend strategic depth or not is entirely their decision.
I guess, easier to preach than practice.
@Aadersh:
Indians have for consideration not only Sarmila Bose but also have access to the Report of Hamoodur Rahman Commission to gain a better perspective. Of course, not-so-subtle differences do exist between the two.. One has to take a nuanced view of the opinions expressed by an American lady writing for profit on one side and on the other of the judicial impartiality of the then then CJP whose team consisted of the then Justice of SC, CJ of Sindh,plus members of Court of Balochistan and a retired Lt Gen of PA as the adviser to the Commission..
Justice Hamoodur Rahman & Other Judges who investigated 1971 with an open mind did not write the Report with a motive,for pecuniary rewards or for cheap sensationalism or to help some to score points. His Report that can cause introspection is useful to South Asia as a whole. If Indians gain nothing from hindsight of Bose it matters little; if Pakistanis lack the foresight to prevent new issues and have forgotten the findings of the Report,as they appear to have, it would be a tragedy.
Lady Khar has got it all . . . . .inteligence, smartness, and personality!!
It's hilarious reading Indians' posts showing Pakistanis their concern about Balochis etc etc and Pakistanis in turn showing their concern for Maoists and Kashmiris when in fact they only care about themselves. Height of stupidity occurs when users begin identifying themselves with names like balochistan, Real Bangladeshi lol
lol the American Embassy just sent 100s of trolls on this website
Indeed, Kashmir has the right to self-determination. King Hari Singh had determined in 1947 that Kashmir will be a part of India. So, handover your half of Kashmir and you'll find everlasting peace.
Friends, We Indians have been hearing this Pakistani cry for implementation of UN resolution on Kashmir in Jammu and Kashmir....Here is the link to that resolution...Read carefully part II section A 1/2/ and 3. Just see, how many of these conditions were ever fulfilled by Pakistan for the plebiscite to take place. If Pakistanis have themselves not done the ground work for the plebiscite to take place, what are they constantly talking about??? And if they dont want to fulfill these conditions, then thats fine...why crib?: Here you go:
http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/documents/jkunresolution.html
...
@Aadersh:
Sir, when any dispute occurs, you will get tons of scholors writing their version of dispute. Sharmila Bose is also one of them. You cannot pick and choose an author to validate your arguement. I can also give you millions of references where authors (and some Pakistani too) have blamed Pakistan and its army for Bangladesh crisis. You guys created a goof up and gave India a chance to cut your arm. India had its own reasons, political, security etc. and it behaved like any other country would have. Are you not doing the same thing in Kashmir and taking advantage of an unrest in Kashmir? Only difference is that India was a bigger force and was succeeded and you are still trying and hoping one day you will also succeed. Now you can give as many reasons as you want but if the entire world is today calling Pakistan a terror supporter then I think its time to look inwards and stop playing this victim card and blame everybody for creating problems for you. If I have issues in my house there comes a time when I need stop blaming my neighbours and take the issue in my hand and try to resolve it.My neighbours will never like me succeeding and becoming more richer and powerful. I have to play my cards so well that I keep my home issues within my house and yet play it very diplomatically with others
To all Indians here. We know that you are top of your game right now with consistent pressure from all the thugs like Yanks, Israel and NATO. But keep thing in mind!!!! After 1971 we have learnt a lot from our mistakes. We have contingency plans now....Just pray when our wrath unleashes on you.
I'm Baloch and a proud Pakistani. Indians should please stop interfering in our media. And yes, every province can have a self-detrimental vote to tell all the people out there, that, Kashmir, FATA, Khyber Pakhtoon Khwa, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan are very much a part of Pakistan. Our economy may be down, our pliticians may be corrupt, but that doesn't mean we split up with our brothers.Our economy may be down, our pliticians may be corrupt, but that doesn't mean we split up with our brothers.
@Bangladeshi (and all who think he is so right) - dude nothing can be farther from truth. You (and many others like you) can jump up and down as much as you like but the fact remains that whatever you have said is FALSE, UNTRUE and PLAIN LIE.
And yes we wont be giving any link or reference to support we are right, because we know we are. Call it our smugness. there is enough proof on the net from decent educated Pakistanis and Bangladeshis to support our claim.
Coming back to article, Kashmir for Pakistanis is more about religion than anything else. It has also become a prestige issue for them now. How can they not raise it.. even though its a drain on their resources. It works for us though as it weakens Pakistan and you wonder if its foreign policy or an emotional policy. And how come if it was such an emotive issue, you train and fund terrorists to kill innocents in Kashmir.
I mean seriously perhaps any other country will concentrate on setting house in order but not Pakistan.
@Bangladeshi: Why are you ashamed of calling your self Pakistani?? A Bangladeshi does not hold the view you have presented here.
@Abdur Rehman:
What about Indian nukes, they are for show?. If Pakistan just try to launch one, India will retaliate with so massively, that every one in Pakistan and half of India will be dead within an hour. Why do you think India had Phalcon radar?. Remember, the Indian general commented years ago that India' retaliation will be massive and Musharaff agreed to every Indian demand with in 24 hours?. Because India saw, that your country was loading up nukes. India is developing missiles to shoot down nukes, and Pakistan is freting every time it is launched. On top of it India is asked to become part of NATO and under their missile protection plan, and China and Russia(our friends to this day) are starting to fret. So you have "BUMS" and India has them too, it might avoid a serious war, but your bums are not scaring any one. One another seanario (which scares me) might be that India might put a small nuke in Rajastani desert and blame Pakistan and massively nuke Pakistan which is small country compared to India.
@Aadersh: What is factual about "Kashmir is a disputed territory"?!!! Simply because Pakistan claims it so? India has the legal deeds of accession of Kashmir to India as per the wishes and intent of its previous ruler Raja Hari Singh, who as its monarch had the sole right of determination on the future of Kashmir. Not being in a democracy, the inhabitants of Kashmir were mere subjects and had no right of say in this matter.
In the case of Balochistan, it was a free state for 9 months after independence from the British, before it was annexed by Pakistan.
@Harish: Really, stop day dreaming. Why are you quoting wikipedia. Go to your media and they'll tell you that india's conventional missiles systems don't work, let alone the so-called "triad missile defense shield". Taking words from defence journals or Oxford english dictionary is different from the ground reality. India would have carried out many aggressions against Pakistan if they were not sure of a strong response.
Well I would like some Indian professor to teach Ashok & company the difference between Kashmir & Balochistan...Or perhaps these Indian r too weak in getting factful knowledge...Kashmir is a disputed territory unlike Balochistan which is very much part of Pakistan....& @All those demanding self determination for Balochistan...I m the first one who want that...Since I m Baloch & resident of Balochistan, but at the same time I m very much proud of my Pakistani identity... @Bangladeshi....Sensible people like you r responsible for brotherly relations b/w Pakistan & Bangladesh...Long Live Pak/Bangla friendship... @fightingfalcon...Well do you know about Sarmila Bose?? She is an Indian & she has written a book named "Anatomy of Violence: Analysis of Civil War in East Pakistan in 1971" just go through it & you will come to know who was responsible for 1971 genocide in Bangladesh...
@Real Bangladeshi: you must be one of the blind awami supporters we have , living with full rights in our country but loyal to mother India. Keep on ranting for the Awami thugs since they donot have much time. Have they ever came to power without causing abnormal situation before elections and they got paid for it in 2001 elections. This time they came through the illegal care taker GOV. Even after all the voter list fraud how can you explain them getting 73% seats by just getting 48% votes. But I know you digital awami supporters won't listen to logic. If it wasn't for Zia ur rahman we would have been a vasal state of india by now just like Butan. It was by Allah(swt) grace that we got saved in 1975 by getting rid of the Baksal & throwing the 25 year Mujib-Indira unequal treaty in dustbin. By the way how many houses do you have in W.Bengal since majority of you guys earn here but buy assets in India. Learn to respect your country or else go to india. We didn't give blood in 1971 to become slaves of india.
There is no commonality between Palestinian and Kashmir. Mixing them is demeaning the Palestinian cause.
@Thomas: And yet you are so proud to stay away from India, live abroad and call yourself "Thomas" instead of something like "Anamd or Jay Ram". Why think about the whole muslim world. 5% of Pakistani nukes from one nuclear site can hit every corner of India. And you sure know the reason, don't you?
Israel and Kashnir issue will remain unresolved for the next few decades . £ast decade is not enough , Let Pakistan decide the fate ,
1) if kashmir becomes an independant country, it will struggle like hell and they won't be able to survive
2) if kashmir becomes a part of Pakistan. Pakistan is itself struggling with terrorism, poverty and bad economy and the condition of kashmir again become worst
3) if Kashmir remains a state of India and Pakistan stops interfering in India. It will become a heaven and it will grow with amazing speed as whole india is growing\
If self determination was Pakistan's goal - then why are they occupying a portion of Kashmir?
@fighting falcon: nice one ..i was about to comment the same..then saw your comment..lakhs of bangaldeshis cross borders illegaly and still our govt is soft for these type of people .. i have seen thousands of bangaladeshis in India itself..still that @bangaldeshi guy says like that pity!!
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.
If Kashmir is such important to Pakistan then what's wrong in India supporting Balochistan!
Shouldn't they expect this from India?
People of Balochistan should have the right for freedom, self representation, their own country i.e. independence?
@Blithe: And the issues of Balochistan, Sindhudesh, Pakhtunistan, Balawaristan too. It is high time that all these disputes are resolved as per the UN resolutions. The Balochis, Sindhis, Pashtoons and ethnic gilgit baltistanis have the right to self determination and Ms Khar should have raised these Issues for the sake of not being labelled a hypocrite.
@ fighting falcon and the likes, stop your hateful bashing of both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Both the east and west wings of Pakistan (in a young country) were doing quite well . . . .when India poked its proxy war nose to sabotage and break that wing of Pakistan and yes it was on record that the undercover Indian Army that was causing the genocide of the innocent Bangladeshi to brain wash them against Pakistan. It is India's obssesion to find ways to cause unstability in the region so it can look good. What a pathetic way to look good!
Do Baluchistan, Sindh,and NWFP(PK) have rights for self determination and freedom?
@Bangladeshi: Your contention that India nurtures the "delusions" of an united Indian subcontinent is totally false. India is extremely glad that the partition of 1947 took place and it got rid of people it did not want. So, you can put your "hegemonistic India" delusions to rest.
As far as India interfering in the affairs of its neighbors is concerned, there is absolutely no gain that India derives from it. So, unless the actions of its neighbors directly effect India, it is more than happy to leave them alone. All the illustrations of "interference" that you have posted are situations of internal failings of those countries. India's has its own challenges and aspirations and it has no need or desire to involve itself in the problems of its neighbors.
@fighting falcon: Please give the allegation wise reply of Bangladeshi...He has highlighted the facts.
India understand that Pakistan's interest in Kashmir is its water sources and has nothing to do with the interest inhabitants of Kashmir.
Here is a simple litmus test: If Pakistan was really concerned about their interest and since Pakistan is in possession of "Azad Kashmir", they should allow all the inhabitants of Kashmir who also follow Islam to move there. Considering the density of population in the subcontinent, that land is more than equitable for @10 million people. That would solve the problem, wouldn't it?!!
India certainly does not want these people as they are a drain on its resources. BTW, India is not oppressing them as has been claimed. They are not held hostage against their will and are free to leave any time they want. But the land which consists of the the State of Jammu & Kashmir belongs to India both legally and morally and has been for 6000 years. So, there is no case on Kashmir. The sooner Pakistan realize this reality, the better it would be for it.
Dear Ms Khar
I believe that Balochistan should have the right to self determination. I believe that Sindh should have the right to self determination. I believe that Gilgit Baltistan should have the right to self determination. Pakistan is a gross violator of human rights by not allowing these people to hold a referendum and instead of promising one, uses helicopter gunships to suppress the rights of these people. India and Pakistan should first and foremost solve the core issue of independence to Balochistan and then solve the issue of Kashmir by ensuring that Gilgit Balistan is rightfully returned to India.
Regards.
Indeed, Kashmir has bedeviled relations b/w Pakistan and india for far too long. It is high time that Kashmir was resolved as per UN Resolutions, which enshrine the right of self-determination for the Kashmiris.
Open up more land border crossings, liberalize visas, particularly for the divided families, increase people-to-people contacts and CBMs.
Correct distorted history books, etc. etc. Sideline the so called "core issues"
I think all SAARC countries are very well connected except PAK.
SAARC as an organisation is an artificial entity. INDIA is the big kahuna with 1.2 BILLION people and largest land mass in South Asia. It is the only country that borders every SAARC country and none of the the SAARC country border each other. And everyone has issues with INDIA. So SAARC becomes a INDIA bashing session
SAARC should be called INDIA + 6 otherwise it should be dis-banded.
Some orgs with groupings of countries below make more sense
Otherwise, Pakistan should find a grouping of South-Central Asian countries with Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan
Sri Lanka and Maldives should form a south Indian Ocean group
Nepal and Bhutan should form a Himalayan group
ANd Bangladesh. Well.....
@ bangladeshi : have some respect for Indians...Remember 1971...you were at the mercy of indian army..million bangladeshi entered india for refugee, and we accept them feed them and protect them, we saved you from mass genocide against your community..ask your own goverment, whose goverment recently conferred highest honour to our late PM Indira gandhi....a guy like you, will never learn anything from history, except give a chest thumping propagandas..
if you really dont like us, can you please ask ur fellow citizen not to cross d border to find a job and living..afterall we are d badboys of saarc nations, dont you think so ??
Cooperation between SAARC will never be possible because of hegemonistic INDIA which still lives in Nehru's delusional world of Akhand Bharat( greater india) . The Bramhi elites of india couldn't accept the 1947 partition and keeps on causing problems for its neighbours to keep them politically & economically unstable eg. civil war in srilanka through tamil tigers, the insurgency in chittagong hilltracts , turning bangladesh into a desert through unilateral withdrawal of water from common rivers, problems with pakistan , political instability in nepal , take over of sikkim in 1975 , turning butan into their vasal state , interfering in afganistan through the minority northern alliance etc. Cooperation can only be possible when big brother india let go of nehru's delusional greater india dream and accept that srilanka, bangladesh , pakistan , nepal are independent states and are here to stay otherwise its better for the S.Asian states to have a look east policy and give up on Saarc & srilanka is already doing that , bangladesh is strugling because of delusional pro Indian awami GOV , while I think pakistan & afganistan will do well if it can overcome US inteference .
Cooperation between SAARC will never be possible because of hegemonistic INDIA which still lives in Nehru's delusional world of Akhand Bharat( greater india) . The Bramhi elites of india couldn't accept the 1947 partition and keeps on causing problems for its neighbours to keep them politically & economically unstable eg. civil war in srilanka through tamil tigers, the insurgency in chittagong hilltracts , turning bangladesh into a desert through unilateral withdrawal of water from common rivers, problems with pakistan , political instability in nepal , take over of sikkim in 1975 , turning butan into their vasal state , interfering in afganistan through the minority northern alliance etc. Cooperation can only be possible when big brother india let go of nehru's delusional greater india dream and accept that srilanka, bangladesh , pakistan , nepal are independent states and are here to stay otherwise is better for the S.Asian states to have a look east policy and give up on Saarc.
@Arjun: core issue is poverty o and search ambore camp on google
Random! Don't the Pakistanis want to resolve the 'core issue' first?